Changing the Start Menu Power Button function
The power button on the Start Menu defaults to put the computer to sleep. This mode "shuts down" the computer, but places Windows iin memory, allowing you to save energy, and get back to work later when you "restart" the computer.
You may have used this Power Button, and noted that your computer didn't turn off. This setting should fix that.
You can decide how you want this button to work. I have set mine to fully shut down the computer. Note that if you select this option, the computer will shut down without any confirmation, unlike previous versions of Windows.
To change the function of this button:
1. Go to Start>Control Panel.
2. Select Power Options.
3. You will see several choices labeled Preferred Plans. These are all preset and suggested power options that can be selected. The Balanced plan is the default. Select Change Plan Settings to continue.
4. Select Change Advanced Power Settings.
5. Look for the choice called Power Buttons and Lid. Click the plus sign, then the plus sign for Start Menu Power Button.
6. Click the setting under Start Menu Power Button (the default is probably "Sleep"). The setting will change to a drop-down list. Select the action you want the button to take. In my case, I've selected Shut Down.
7. Click Apply, then OK. You can then close out of Control Panel if you are finished.
Note the other options you can choose in these windows. One of my biggest annoyances is walking away from my computer, and coming back to a blank screen minutes later. This is caused by the Power settings for the monitor. I just prefer to have the monitor stay on a little longer. This is another setting I have always changed in Windows. You'll notice in the image back in Step 4 on this page, that I have set the monitor to turn off after 5 hours. As I've always said throughout this site, get inside some of these settings and experiment.